I'VE always thought that those who believe the way to a man's heart is through his stomach are aiming too high.

But I digress. Ann-Marie Nohl, the ravishing restaurateur behind Xpresso Bar in Ballsbridge, thought she had found love with Patrick McGuckian. Alas, it was not to be. They broke up last November. The dashing pair dated for three years -- going on holidays together as well as endless romantic dinners a deux. Indeed, a couple of years ago she brought Patrick to her daughter Sarah's 21st birthday party in Castle Durrow, which is owned by Ann-Marie's ex-husband and Sarah's father, Peter Stokes.

Blonde beauty Ann-Marie (who went on a date to the Four Seasons hotel with Gabriel Byrne a few years ago) tells me she is happy to be single again and is devoting her time (post split from McGuckian, who is apparently in London) to putting the final touches to her new restaurant, Le Rouge, which will open in Cabinteely village in two weeks. "It's going to be a cool, sexy little restaurant," she says (a bit like herself perhaps?) "with a great wine list and a beautiful atmosphere. Purple walls, red velvet curtains, bordello-like. The perfect place for a late-night bite to eat and a lovely glass of wine."